Working for the NHS a family vocation for Heriot’s Blues player Hollie Walker

Granddaughter of a GP, daughter of a nurse and niece of a midwife, following a career in the NHS felt like an obvious choice for Heriot’s Blues player Hollie Walker.

Like many frontline workers in the NHS and private healthcare, Hollie’s work has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

As a Specialist Practitioner District Nurse for NHS Lothian Hollie works in the homes of others providing a wide variety of health care and social needs while also managing a team of nurses and support workers.

‘‘We are being challenged to support a large number of our patients to become independent with care, in the face of numerous challenges, while preparing for the potential number of people who will require care at home due to symptoms of coronavirus,’’ she said.

‘‘At the moment it’s a daily learning process for all of us and we are striving to do our best in a bad situation.

‘‘Personally, my team has been overwhelmed by the support of the public as well as local business and organisations who have gone out of their way to make sure we can keep working and supporting those who need us most,’’ she said.

Hollie believes seeing her family working as healthcare professionals for the NHS made nursing a natural career path for her.

‘‘Growing up in a small island community like Orkney, I spent my childhood at a GP Practice ‘helping’ my grandpa in his role as well as riding shotgun with my mum on the odd occasion while she drove around and saw patients as a community nurse,’’ she said.

After moving to Edinburgh after university to pursue her career Hollie began playing rugby as a hobby and to meet new people.

‘‘I’ve always had a real interest in rugby as a sport and I enjoyed watching it with friends and family growing up.

‘‘Over the past several years I have made some of my closest friendships as well as developed and grown as an individual and part of a team.

‘‘Now playing for Heriot’s Blues Women this passion continues and I look forward to getting back on the pitch with a group of girls I am lucky to call family.’’